Story Summary: AU Season 2. Over the summer it comes out that Veronica is in fact Jake Kanes' biological daughter. She files for emancipation, transfers to Pan High School and is living with Keith Mars. She is reluctantly tested and agrees to give Jake the bone marrow transplant he needs. After the surgery she has difficulty breathing and before she passes out calls to Lilly.
Logan walks up to Duncan and Meg who are looking through the window of Jake Kane's hospital room. To Duncan's relief, his father has been doing better since he received Veronica's bone marrow. His lab work is getting better and he has more color in his face and more energy. It is early but the signs are all good so far. Logan says,"Hey."
Duncan turns to look at Logan and smiles, "Hi Logan."
Logan asks, "Aren't you going in to see your Dad?"
Duncan nods, "Yeah but I am waiting for Veronica to come out. I thought I would leave them alone."
Logan surprised says, "Ronnie is visiting your Dad?"
Logan looks over Meg's shoulder to see Veronica sitting with a mask on playing chess with Jake Kane. Jake looks up and sees Meg, Duncan and Logan in the window of the door. He waves. Veronica turns and looks to see who he is waving at. She nods at them. Veronica turns back to Jake and says something that makes him laugh. She starts cleaning up the chess board and then leans in to give him a hug. He holds her hand and squeezes it.
Veronica walks out of the room and puts her mask into the garbage. She turns to wash her hands in the sink. Logan looks her over and is shocked by how much weight she has lost and how drawn her face is. She has dark circles under her eyes. Her hair is limp and her skin is pale.
Meg excitedly hugs Veronica when she is finished washing her hands. Meg steps back and looks at Veronica. How are you?" she asks.
Veronica says woodenly, "Good, and you?"
Logan is worried how quiet her voice is and how it has no inflection.
Meg gushes, "You had us all worried."
Veronica smiles a little at Meg and says quietly, "As you can see I am alive and kicking."
Meg says happily, "When are you going home?"
Veronica answers softly, "Tomorrow."
Meg sweetly asks, "Can I come and see you?"
Veronica says, "Sure. I'll be at Dad's."
An orderly walks up pushing an empty wheelchair. He looks at Veronica and says, "Miss Kane, I am here to take you to physical therapy." He helps Veronica sit in the wheelchair and Veronica winces as he helps her put her feet up on the footrests.
Veronica looks at them and says quietly, "Bye."
The orderly wheels the chair down the hall and around the corner accompanied by one of the security guards.
Meg turns to Duncan with tears in her eyes, "She looks awful. Is she in a lot of pain?"
Duncan sighs, "Who knows? She hardly speaks. That's the most I heard her say in a week."
Logan asks, "Is she visiting your Dad now?"
Duncan says, "Yeah she sees him a few minutes every day. Dad is thrilled. He was so worried about her."
Logan looks at Duncan and says, "Did the transplant work?"
Duncan says tiredly, "It is too early to tell yet but all the signs are good. Dad says Veronica told him that she has a strong feeling about it and she told him she is never wrong."
Meg says earnestly, "I hope she is right."
Duncan takes her hand and squeezes it. He says, "Me too. Let's go in and see him."
A week later, Duncan walks towards Logan in the hallway. He smiles when Logan looks up and sees him, "Morning."
Logan smiles back and says, "Morning. Sorry I missed your call last night."
Duncan teasing says, "Hot date?"
Logan shrugs and says easily, "Usual, went out to dinner with Diana. What did you want?"
Duncan looks around and sees that no one is close enough to overhear. He says quietly, "Veronica moved in last night"
Logan looks shocked. He frowns a little saying, "Wow. I never thought she would leave Mr. Mars."
Duncan nods in agreement. He explains, "Wallace dropped her off after supper. He helped her carry her stuff in and then left with her car. She moved into the guest room at the front of the house. Dad says she didn't want to be near Lilly's room or where she might see the pool."
Logan thinks for a second and says, "I guess I can understand that. Did your Dad say why she agreed to move in?"
Duncan shakes his head and little as if he is still surprised. He says, "Remember when I told you she refused to move in and she had suggested they have a weekly lunch or dinner and get to know each other?"
Logan nods. Duncan continues, "Dad says he told her that this illness taught him that time is precious and that he really wanted time with her before she goes off to college. He told her he really wanted her to live with him."
Logan says, "I can see why he would want to have her move in."
Duncan says, "Me too."
Duncan says, "Dad told me she had concerns that her moving in would not be fair to me or Mom."
Logan says, "Did you talk to her about it?"
Nodding Duncan adds, "I had told her that I was Ok with it and I guess Dad convinced her that Mom had agreed to it."
Logan shuts his locker and leans on it looking down the hall. He looks back at Duncan and says, "Did you talk to her last night?"
Duncan sighs. He has told Logan that Veronica doesn't say much to him. He says, "No I said hello though. She looks really tired and she still is underweight. I don't think she has recovered from being so sick. I know Mr. Mars and Dad are really worried about her."
Logan looks at his feet. He says, "Is she still pretty distant when you talk?"
Duncan walks over and leans on the locker next to Logan. It's obvious he is a little frustrated when he says, "She's a closed book. She doesn't say much. It's ironic that I spent all last year trying to distance myself from her and now I hate it that she is distant from me."
Logan looks over meeting his friend's gaze. His brown eyes are full of hurt when he says, "Well at least she is talking to you."
Duncan seeing his friend's pain says, "I guess." He pauses and adds, "She spent the evening unpacking her stuff and then she went to bed early. She was gone when I got up. Dad said she had track practice this morning and she would be home after school." He looks down the hall and then back over at Logan. Duncan observes, "He is very excited she moved in."
Logan smiles a little at Duncan's words. He says a little hopefully, "Is she coming back to school here?"
Duncan immediately shakes his head. He frowns as he says, "No. Veronica said it would be best for everyone involved if she stayed at Pan High. Otherwise Dad says she has been really cooperative. He said that Clarence met with her, outlined the safety policies and gave her a new cell phone. He said she agreed to all the rules. She is no longer working for Mr. Mars. She gave up her Le Baron. Apparently she gave it to Wallace to use and she is going to drive the car Dad bought her. She agreed to the tracking device on her cell phone and car."
Logan smirks a little and says, "Are you sure it really is Veronica?"
Duncan laughing, "I know. I am having trouble believing everything too." He adds, "I have to be home for supper tonight as it is our first meal as a family. I am not sure what is going to happen."
Logan shakes his head and stands. He says, "I would like to be a fly on the wall for that meal."
Duncan stands and puts his books more comfortably under his other arm. He says a little sarcastically, "Watch the news and see if a SWAT team had to be called to the house."
Logan laughs and starts heading towards his class. He says, "I will. See you later."
Duncan turns towards his class says back, "See you at lunch."
A couple of weeks later, Logan and Diana walk up to Duncan who is waiting for Meg to get her books from her locker. Logan bumps fists with Duncan and says, "How is your new sister doing?"
Duncan shrugs and says, "Good I guess. I hardly ever see her. She is very busy. She has track practices in the morning before school. She has soccer practices after school. She got a part in the school play and has rehearsals for that during school and some evenings. She has apparently been taking Tae Kwan Do and goes to that three times a week in the evenings and on some Saturdays."
Logan observes, "Well that's Veronica. When she is upset, she keeps busy."
Meg and Duncan both nod in agreement and understanding.
Logan smirking says, "How are she and Celeste getting along?"
Duncan smiles a little at Logan's assumption the situation is not pleasant. He says, "Surprisingly they are very polite to each other. I think they are both trying to make it work for Dad's sake. Veronica is very quiet. She doesn't say much. She makes sure she spends time with Dad every night though."
Logan seeing Duncan's discouragement says, "Do you talk to her?"
Duncan shakes his head. He looks at Meg and says, "She asks about Meg and school but that's it. She is polite but there is a wall there." It is obvious Duncan and Meg have talked about Duncan's concerns about Veronica.
Logan looks at Meg and says getting her attention, "Have you talked to her Meg?"
Meg meets Logan's gaze and says quietly, "Yes. She and I have been shopping a few times. She is not the Veronica I knew from last year. She is quiet and very reserved. She doesn't laugh much. I don't know how to explain it."
Diana her voice a little higher with her anger says abruptly, "I am going to talk to Madison. Are you coming Logan?"
Logan frowns a little at her attitude. He says, "In a minute."
Diana flounces away. The three remaining teenagers watch her walk away.
Duncan looks back to Logan and observes, "I guess she doesn't like to hear about your ex."
Logan shrugs obviously not caring that Diana is mad. He says, "I guess not."
Meg trying to smooth over the situation says, "It is understandable. She doesn't know Veronica and if she listens to what Madison says about Veronica…"
Logan sighs a little and says, "I know. The tabloid stories about Ronnie refusing to give her bone marrow until she was paid millions of dollars were bad enough. Now that she moved in the Kane mansion, the stories have gotten worse."
Duncan frowns saying, "Dad wants to sue the tabloids but Veronica told him to let it go, it doesn't matter."
Meg takes Duncan's hand and shakes her head a little. She says, "I can't imagine starting at a new school with everyone thinking you are a gold digger"
Duncan says, "I wish she went here."
Logan agreeing questions, "Does she still hang around with Wallace?"
Duncan nods. "Yeah, he's still her BFF. Wallace and Daryl come and see her at the house sometimes and play in the pool. She also goes and sees Mr. & Mrs. Mars a couple of times a week."
Meg pulls on their joined hands and says as Duncan falls in beside her, "She keeps a picture of them all at Mr. and Mrs. Mar's wedding by her bed. She likes her new step mom and of course she likes having Wallace and Daryl as brothers. I think sometimes she wishes she were living with them in their new house."
Logan walks with them. He says, "Her life would be easier if she was."
Meg tells the two boys, "Wallace says he talked to some of the Pan basketball players and that they say a lot of guys ask her out."
Logan seeming a little sad says, "That doesn't surprise me. She's hot and now she's rich."
The three teenagers round a corner towards the English hallway. Logan veering off says, "Well I have to go and mend things with Diana. See you later."
Logan leaves. Duncan continues to walk with Meg. He says his voice laced with frustration, "I know something is bothering her. I am really worried about her. I wish she would talk to me."
Meg leans into Duncan partially hugging him with one arm says, "We will just keep showing her we care. It will be OK."
Duncan sighs putting his arm around her hugging her back says, "I hope so."
Logan and Duncan float on loungers in the pool at Logan's house. Meg and Diana are lounging in chairs at the side of the pool talking. Logan looking over at the girls to make sure he and Duncan won't be overheard says, 'How is Ronnie?"
Duncan takes a sip of his beer and says, 'I don't know. She is still so distant."
Logan wiggles a little to get more comfortable on the lounger observes, "A lot has happened to her. Maybe she just needs time to adjust."
Duncan looks at Logan from behind his sunglasses and says, "Mom took her to our doctor. I think he prescribed antidepressants."
Logan sits up pulling off his glasses obviously upset. He says firmly, "No, hell no! We can't let her take those!"
Duncan his voice firm says, "Relax man! She refused them."
Logan visibly relaxes back onto the lounger. He put on his glasses. Duncan continues, "Dad is worried because she won't see a counselor. He says it is obvious that Veronica is depressed."
Logan looks over at Duncan and asks, "Well how bad is she?"
Duncan thinks for a few seconds trying to put his thoughts into words. He says slowly, "She is doing great in school and she keeps really busy. Dad says the principal at Pan says she is a pleasure and the teachers all love her."
Logan his voice sarcastic interjects, "Well that is just scary. Her teachers like her?"
Duncan smiles and there is silence for a few seconds. Duncan continues his thought, "The friends she brings to the house tell me they have never seen her upset or heard her say a harsh word. She goes out on dates and to parties. On the outside everything seems normal. I just feel like she is pretending and putting up a front."
Logan is quiet thinking about her dating.
Duncan looks up at the sky for a few seconds watching the clouds drift by. He finally says, "I guess if I didn't know her from before I would think every thing was fine. It just seems like underneath she is desperately unhappy. I worry that one day she will burst trying to hold in her pain."
Logan trying to ease his friend's worry says, "Maybe she talks to her girlfriends or Wallace."
Duncan says unconvinced, "Maybe but Meg doesn't seem to be able to get past her walls either."
Logan:says, "I guess all you can do is be there for her and give her support. At least you can do that.
Duncan says sympathetically. "It's hard for you not to see and talk to her, isn't it?"
Logan looks at Duncan and says his voice full of pain. "I know it should be getting easier not seeing her, it just isn't."
Duncan says quietly, "Sorry man."
Logan looks across the pool to where the girls are lounging and says, "I know. Thanks"
There is few minutes of silence as the boys float peacefully on the water. Duncan continuing their conversation says, "On the bright side, the tabloids are having trouble finding bad things to write about her."
Logan while lounging with his eyes closed says, "Yeah just the normal pictures of her dating and shopping." They float for a while both relaxing letting the warmth of the sun soothe their worries.
Duncan looks over at his friend and says, "Dad wants me to try and talk to her about what is bothering her. He says we used to be close and perhaps I can reach her."
Logan looks over at Duncan and asks, "Are you going to?"
Duncan nods and says, 'Tonight."
Duncan sits in his room in front of his computer. He thinks about his conversation with Veronica. After a few minutes thought, he flips open his phone depressing a button. He waits with the phone to his ear. He says when Logan answers, "Hey."
Logan answers sleepily, "You rang?"
Duncan launches into the topic he wants to talk to Logan about, "I talked to Veronica tonight. She seemed to really listen to my concerns about her. She agreed to talk about what is bothering her but she said it would take a little while so I suggested tomorrow after her soccer practice." Duncan's voice is rushed and Logan immediately picks up Duncan's mood.
Logan says tentatively, "That's great!'
Duncan pauses and says, "Yeah. Look Logan, Veronica would like to meet us at Dog Beach. Are you free?"
Logan obvious surprise in his voice questions, "She wants me to be there too?"
Duncan pauses and then says, "Actually I suggested it. I think you should be involved in her life again."
Logan is quiet as he processes what Duncan is saying. Logan says tentatively, "DK, I'm not sure that's a good idea."
Duncan says honestly, "She wasn't either." Duncan pauses and then says, "Veronica says you broke up with her and that she has respected your wish that you not be in her life." Duncan pauses and then hearing that Logan is not going to comment says, "Is that what you really want Logan?"
Logan takes a deep breath and answers uncertainly, 'I don't know."
Duncan deciding to confide in Logan says, "She says she wants to talk about Lilly. She says you and I are the only two people who would understand what she has to tell us." He hears Logan's intake of breath. He understands the surprise Logan is experiencing as he felt it himself when he talked to her. He adds, "Do you want to hear what is going on with her? I told her I would leave the decision up to you. If you don't come, I will tell you what she said."
Logan remains silent. Duncan obvious uncomfortable finally says, "Logan, you are my best friend and I know what a great friend you are. I also know what a great friend Veronica can be. You guys are done as boyfriend/girlfriend, I get it. Do you really want to give up a chance at a good friendship? You two used to be good together before Lilly died."
Logan remains on the line but doesn't answer Duncan's question. Duncan says, "Look, just think about it. Ok?"
Logan agrees, "I'll think about it."
Duncan adds, "If you come, we are meeting about 5:30pm. She says she may be a bit late because she wants to drop by her Dad's and pick up Back Up."
Logan says quietly, "I might come."
Duncan thankful the conversation is over says, "OK man. By the way, she asked me not to bring Meg and I imagine she won't want you to bring Diana."
Logan equally grateful to get off the phone says, "OK. Thanks DK. Bye." Logan closes his phone and then lies on his bed looking at the ceiling.